Shloka 9
Kīcaka-vadha-pratisaṃjñā: Rumor in Matsya and the Kaurava Scouts’ Report (कीचकवध-प्रतिसंज्ञा)
गच्छ सैरन्दध्रि भद्रं ते यथाकामं वरानने । बिभेति राजा सुश्रोणि गन्धर्वेभ्य: पराभवात्
vaiśampāyana uvāca | gaccha sairandhri bhadraṃ te yathākāmaṃ varānane | bibheti rājā suśroṇi gandharvebhyaḥ parābhavāt ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana sprach: „Geh, o Sairandhrī; Heil sei mit dir. O Schönangesichtige, geh, wohin du willst. O Frau mit schönen Hüften, der König fürchtet sich — wegen der früheren Demütigung durch die Gandharvas.“
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how past defeat and public humiliation can shape a ruler’s present conduct: fear arises from remembered vulnerability, and authority may yield to caution. Ethically, it suggests that unchecked pride leading to disgrace can later constrain one’s freedom and decision-making.
The narrator reports that Sairandhrī is told she may go wherever she wishes, with a blessing for her welfare. The reason given is that the king is afraid of the Gandharvas due to a prior defeat or humiliation connected with them.